Finding Your Calling · Day 1
Jeremiah 1:4-10 — a devotion
Jeremiah 1
- 4여호와의 말씀이 내게 임하니라 이르시되Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Now the LORD’s word came to me, saying,
- 5내가 너를 복중에 짓기 전에 너를 알았고 네가 태에서 나오기 전에 너를 구별하였고 너를 열방의 선지자로 세웠노라 하시기로Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
- 6내가 가로되 슬프도소이다 주 여호와여 보소서 나는 아이라 말할 줄을 알지 못하나이다Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.”
- 7여호와께서 내게 이르시되 너는 아이라 하지 말고 내가 너를 누구에게 보내든지 너는 가며 내가 네게 무엇을 명하든지 너는 말할지니라But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.But the LORD said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you.
- 8너는 그들을 인하여 두려워 말라 내가 너와 함께 하여 너를 구원하리라 나 여호와의 말이니라 하시고Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says the LORD.
- 9여호와께서 그 손을 내밀어 내 입에 대시며 내게 이르시되 보라 내가 내 말을 네 입에 두었노라Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.Then the LORD stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. Then the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
- 10보라 내가 오늘날 너를 열방 만국 위에 세우고 너를 뽑으며 파괴하며 파멸하며 넘어뜨리며 건설하며 심게 하였느니라See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.Behold, I have today set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Jeremiah is a book written by the prophet Jeremiah during the final years of the southern kingdom of Judah (around 626-586 BC). Jeremiah came from a priestly family in Anathoth, a small town in Judah, and he received God's call in the thirteenth year of King Josiah. At the time, Judah was in the midst of upheaval — Assyria was declining and Babylon was rising — and spiritually, idolatry was rampant. Chapter 1 serves as the introduction to the whole book, telling the story of the prophet's calling. This scene, in which God speaks directly to Jeremiah and confirms his mission, becomes the foundation for the difficult ministry Jeremiah would carry out over the decades that followed.
Reflection questions: 1. What does it mean to me right now that God knew me even before I was born? 2. Is there an area where I hesitate at God's call because I feel inadequate? 3. What small act of obedience can I practice this week in the place where God is sending me?
Today's reflection
Jeremiah 1:4-10 is the scene where God calls Jeremiah as a prophet. God says He knew Jeremiah before he was even formed in his mother's womb, and that He had already set him apart before he was born. This shows that God's calling does not depend on human ability or readiness.
Theologically, this passage reveals God's sovereign choice and His specific plan for each person. Jeremiah tries to decline, saying he is only a child and does not know how to speak, but God encourages him: go wherever I send you, and speak whatever I command you. The ground of the calling is not a person's qualifications but the God who sends.
Simply put, God knew each of us before we were ever born and made us with a unique purpose. Even when we feel inadequate, God's calling does not change.
Are you feeling that you are not ready yet, or that you lack the qualifications? Just as He did with Jeremiah, God promises to be with us too. What we need to answer the call is not perfect preparation but a heart that trusts God.
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